Train to Chicago
 

I read in Sunday's Daily Sun of a proposed direct ( I think ) train service between Tampa and Chicago starting in 2016. Does anyone have any more information on this or suggestions on how I might find out.

I would be interested in that too.

Contact the writer's email at the end of the article

I have emailed CSX ( The railroad Company ) Let's see if they reply.

Done That - 2 days in 1963.

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CSX moves freight.

Amtrak moves people. :icon_wink:

The routing mentioned in the paper was for CSX freight service ....... Amtrak has service to DC then to Chicago on either train 29 or 51 ..... Very expensive !

So if CSX can run a freight train Why Can't Amtrak run a passenger train ??

The DC / Chicago route takes 43 hours I can drive it in 19 + 10 hour rest/sleep stop Near Nashville 29 hours total. Trains are a very fuel efficient way of moving large numbers of people. With the way the Airlines are nickel and Dimeing us not to mention the cramped seating it's a golden opportunity for the railroads to make a comeback and provide the FAST Comfortable travelling European countries are accustomed to.

Having just returned from Europe where trains, subways, trolleys and buses are a wonderful way to move around, I found the Daily Sun article almost laughable. The United States is so far behind the rest of the world and so bound and tied to automobile transportation, I seriously doubt we have the will to develop an effective mass transit policy.

I believe that outside of the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak leases tracks from private freight railroads. They just started service from Indianapolis to Chicago. The agreement is between Indiana DOT, Amtrak and Iowa Pacific Holdings, a holding company that owns railroads through out the US and UK.

I am hoping that this happens also~ exciting!

Took Amtrak from LA to Chicago in 2009. I would compare the experience to that of riding a Greyhound bus and arriving at your destination two hours late. It was cheaper than flying.

Easy answer
 

CSX is private enterprise.

Amtrak is a government operation.

The big question is how many stops.

Apples to oranges
 

It would be much easier for providing services to smaller countries rather than our wide open spaces cost wise.